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Friday, April 23, 2010

My Mother's Clothes

My mother's clothes were filled with magic. I loved watching her dress for a party. I loved exploring her closet when she was out. Her clothes were the gateway to the mysterious world of adults.

When I discovered Jeannette Montgomery Barron's book on her mother's clothes in Paris...First at elegant Galignani... Then at the musee des arts decoratifs I was captivated... Her mother's fashion notes... Reminded me of my own mother's design school sketches. And my mother's ever present dreams of becoming a fashion designer. There were many parallels, like Jeannette's mother's obsession with fashion. While her mother bought the best - Bill Blass, Norman Norrell, Yves Saint Laurent, my mother only dreamed of those names. Together we sleuthed the best shops to examine and plot, so my mother could go home and sew up her own versions. Like Jeanette's push/pull tug of war with her mother, I too did not want to be fashionable as an adolecent. I did NOT want to become a fashion designer. No way! So many memories surfaced while paging through Jeannette's book that I had to get in touch with her. We started emailing... Last night I went to her book party... At Kate Spade on 454 Broome street. The champagne was flowing...People were lining up... To get their books signed... And signed

There was hardly a moment to say hello.

And say "Thank you" for reconnecting me with memories of my mother...

Jeannette has photographed many artists - Francesco Clemente, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat. No wonder the pictures of her mother's clothes are like paintings. Her work will be in the Staley-Wise gallery. As I was sleuthing around shooting, Jeannette recognized me from my blog photo with the giant red goggles! I've lost my anonymity but it was a delight to meet her.

37 comments:

I can relate to that, too, very much, Carol. My mom made all her clothes, and she was a beautiful seamstress. As a little child, I used to love to go into her room and sort of wrap her clothes around me in the quiet of the closet. It was like a warm hug...I miss her. Lovely post.

Carol, I'm commenting on your very poignant post just before heading to S. Jersey, to have lunch with my 97 year old Dad. As an artist, and son, I know I must one day chronicle his life in an attempt to "bear witness" to a noble, hard working man. Someone once said men go through life, trying to please their fathers, even after their passing.Perhaps the same can be said of women, and their Mothers.Thank you for this beautiful posting.Bill

Love your blog. You are getting famous! Yay!I remember my mother's closet too. She had a pair of shoes I would love to have today. Fab navy pumps with the rounded toe and the thicker heel with a luscious sky blue leather lining. Gone but not forgotten...

My mother is an excellent seamstress (& beautiful,too)...but my memories are not as nice. I think I'll get the book & live vicariously. Lovely post (as always)...but leaves me with a twinge. I never can choose a Mother's Day card, that doesn't feel a total lie, etc. I should start a club. I'm not being mean...it breaks my heart to admit it, even in a comment."

Oh heavens..who loves their mother unequivocally?I hated that my mother picked out my profession-to-be without consulting me. Not that I had a clue what I wanted to do.There was more war than peace between us and how unusual is that?on verra bien

I absolutely adore this post about My Mother's Clothes-it really touched a nerve. I loved going into my mom's closets when I was little and trying on her beautiful dresses! (Still do, actually!) I will definitely purchase the book. Would you know if Kate Spade has extras signed books? Thank you Amy

I wanted to let you know how much this post on your mom and the book signing touched me. I'm sure that your mother was someone not only fantastic but proud of her daughter. My mom is coming for a visit tomorrow following Mother Nature that decided to postpone the trip by a week. I've become addicted to your posts, but moreso I feel like I've met a new friend. When you write I have the same sense of humor with a Chicago flair living in Paris.People like you inspire me.

I loved this post about the book signing. And it made me go back to look at your older posts about your mother and your past careers... So much wonderful history. It's so interesting to me to see how people carve their paths into the art world.

I was watching NBC's Parenthood last night (I rarely watch TV but I'm hooked on this touching family drama), and the mother said to her daughter (who was having difficulty with her own teenage daughter):

"Daughters always hate their mothers, it's part of nature. But then they come back."

I thought it was so beautiful. Cheers to loving our moms and "coming back" :)

What a beautiful and touching story. The photograph of her mother's white pants hanging in the window almost disappearing in the shining light is just breathtaking and beyond words.

Thank you, Carol, for bringing this book and wonderful woman to our awareness. It's heartwarming when someone has the courage to share a tragic situation and somehow transform it into a celebration of life.

Very inspiring-and also has me thinking how I may use my experience with my mom in a creative way.

RESONATING WITH MOTHER/DAUGHTER DYNAMICS THIS TIME OF YEAR ANYWAY, AND THEN-VOILA. THE AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE, YOURS, MINE...THE SAME BUT NOT. THE SAMENESS IS IN THE TRYING TO BE OURSELVES YET NOT BREAKING THEIR HEARTS...A DELICATE DANCE, AND NOW THEY ARE GONE...

Your post made me so very envious....even your subsequent comment about warring with your mother does not detract...you have to have been very secure in your love for her to be able to rebel. How wonderful for you!

I recently did a series of photos based on my mother's dresses called My Mother/Myself. It seemed to resonate with many people and I'm thinking of expanding this project. Thank you for telling me about this book. I must buy it.

Ah yes, brings back memories. In the 60's my mother had a gorgeous aqua and white sleeveless chemise that my nearly four-year-old heart coveted. When she and I were both supposed to be napping, I snuck into her closet and put it on. I jumped up on a chair to admire myself in the bureau mirror, tripped on the excess fabric and hit my head on the bureau's sharp Danish mod corner. I still bear the scar near my hairline. I believe the dress was ruined -- but it was a fabulous dress. Love your blog.

YOU for reminding me of something I miss about my ownmother! She was a teacher, but she could have been a fashion designer. Anexcellent seamstress and a child of the Depression, she made all our clothes growing up. She never failed to comment on fabric texture, good seams and badseams,bias cuts, and the "fall" of a gown or skirt. (Her daughter washopeless in these departments, but an excellent person and artist anyway!)Thank you!

I agree with "Whit"'s comment. "Daughters always hate their mothers, it's part of nature. But then they come back."My mom used to make her own clothes, too, based on "Images du Monde" pictures. It was her own mother's desire. She worked in a couture salon for a while, excelling in the perfectly comfortable cut of the patterns, but she dropped off. It was not until my late thirties that I appreciated her sewing skills and her style. Between the two of us, even her idea of what I should do in life-teaching- was not so wrong after all. I was recently told that I sell as if I teach...Very much appreciated post.Be blessed and happy.Irene

I was especially touched with your mother's drawings. My mother went to Parsons to study fashion illustration in the '30's. She only went for one year as she had to go to work to help the family during the depression. I looked at her drawings in the '50's when we were cleaning out the basement. Then they disappeared. She said my father didn't see any reason to keep them. I wish that I still had that piece of her. You are very lucky to have yours.There is another book related to what we wear. Love, Loss And What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman 1995.Keep up the good blogging.Elaine

I remember my mom getting ready for cocktail parties and military balls, helping her put on her makeup (and remembering when I was about the age she was then ~ 35, that my eyelids started becoming "crepey"--when I was in my early teens, I just couldn't figure out why the eyeshadow kept getting "wrinkly"...but my fondest memories were of those dresses and shoes and coats! Pink, one shoulder, ostrich feathers; black lace "spanish dancer" dress; champagne "opera coat" with ruched sleeves; stillettos with irridescent black glass sequins (which shredded the "flamenco" dresses hem)...

I was fortunate enough to be able to wear that dress when one of my cats won an International title, in Atlantic City, at the hotel where all the Miss America gowns were on display...

Oh I just discovered your blog researching the book My Mothers clothing. I just adore your post!!!! What a lovely chance to go to this book signing. Thank you for sharing your own memories and evening:)